POS1021 THE EFFECT OF CANNABIDIOL ON QUANTITATIVE SENSORY TESTING PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS WITH HAND OSTEOARTHRITIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL
Authors: J. Vela, K. Kjær Petersen, L. Dreyer, L. Arent-Nielsen, S. Kristensen
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2022)

Background Cannabidiol (CBD) has been proposed as an analgesic/anti-inflammatory treatment modality for joint pain. This study is based on a randomised, placebo controlled, double blind study (NORDCAN), investigating the effect of CBD in patients with painful hand osteoarthritis or psoriatic arthritis [1]. Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of CBD on quantitative sensory testing (QST) parameters. Methods The present randomised, placebo controlled, double blind study included 128 patients with hand osteoarthritis or psoriatic arthritis with chronic pain of moderate intensity. The trial compared 12 weeks of 20-30 mg CBD treatment with placebo. The QST parameters were assessed at baseline and after treatment. Pressure pain thresholds was measured at the most painful finger joint (local site) and the shin of the right leg (distal non-painful site). Temporal summation of pain and conditioned pain modulation were assessed using computer-controlled cuff algometry with the tourniquets on lower leg at the level of the upper portion of the gastrocnemius. Results Baseline characteristics (demographics and pain) for the CBD treated group and placebo group were comparable. No significant differences were observed in QST variables between baseline and end of treatment when comparing CBD and placebo. Conclusion No differences in modulation in QST parameters were demonstrated in patients in treatment with 20-30 mg CBD compared to placebo. Further studies of patients with rheumatic diseases treated with different dosage of CBD are needed to clarify the effect of CBD on pain in this patient group. References [1]Vela J, Dreyer L, Petersen KK, Nielsen LA, Duch KS, Kristensen S. Cannabidiol treatment in hand osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Pain 2021;Publish Ah. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002466. Figure 1. Flow-diagram of participant in the NORDCAN study Table 1. Difference in QST outcomes after 12 weeks of treatment with CBD or placebo. Placebo group CBD group Difference 95% CI p Difference 95% CI p PPT Joint, kPa* 18.62 -19 to 56.76 0.32 42.56 1.95 to 86.31 0.03 PPT Shin, kPa* 35.02 -8.72 to 78.76 0.11 5.88 -30.12 to 41.89 0.75 CPM, kPa 3.23 -2.11 to 8.58 0.17 3.92 -1.75 to 9.59 0.17 TSP 0.18 -0.58 to 0.94 0.64 0.12 -0.41 to 0.65 0.63 * Assessed using handheld algometer. Abbreviations: CPM, Conditioned pain modulation; PPT, Pressure pain threshold; TSP, Temporal summation of pain Acknowledgements The authors thank patients, research personnel, the patient research partners, the Danish Rheumatism Association and the Psoriasis Association for their contribution to the NORDCAN trial. Disclosure of Interests Jonathan Vela: None declared, Kristian Kjær Petersen: None declared, Lene Dreyer Grant/research support from: Has received research grants from BMS and honorariums from Eli Lilly, Galderma, and Janssen, Lars Arent-Nielsen Speakers bureau: Has received speaker and advisory fees from GSK, Pfizer and Grünenthal., Salome Kristensen: None declared